A burial ceremony in Aleto, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, reportedly turned tragic when a resident pastor, Deacon Steve Eyo, collapsed and died while preaching about the certainty of death.
Deacon Steve Eyo was of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Aleto.
He was delivering a sermon titled “The Certainty of Death and Hope Beyond” when the shocking incident occurred.
According to eyewitness accounts, more than 300 people were attending the burial when Eyo mounted the pulpit at about 1:10 p.m.
He reportedly spoke extensively about the inevitability of death, telling mourners that nobody knows when death will come.
Using the analogy of going to the market, the pastor reportedly said some people leave the market early while others remain until late, just as some people die young while others live to old age.
He was said to have continued the sermon for about 15 minutes before suddenly collapsing while bringing his message to a close.
His collapse reportedly stunned the gathering because he had just been speaking about how unexpectedly death can come.
Some initially thought the pastor was demonstrating his point about the suddenness of death, but the situation quickly became apparent as a medical emergency.
He was reportedly rushed to the back of the venue, where church ministers and choir members gathered around him and prayed while people with medical knowledge attempted to provide first aid.
An ambulance hired to convey the remains of the deceased was reportedly used to rush the pastor to a nearby hospital.
However, eyewitnesses said he was later confirmed dead and his body taken to a mortuary.
The incident reportedly left mourners and other members of the congregation in shock, with many struggling to come to terms with the fact that the man who had been preaching about death had suddenly become its victim.
According to an eyewitness account, Eyo’s final words before he collapsed were:
“Number your days and prepare, for it can happen anytime.”
Moments later, he reportedly fell, with the microphone hitting the floor.
The pastor had reportedly reminded mourners during the sermon that death is not the end, stressing the need for people to live wisely and prepare for the judgment he said follows death.
The circumstances surrounding his sudden death have continued to generate shock among those who witnessed the incident.
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